"Thus it is said that one who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be endangered in a hundred engagements."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Indictment Unsealed Charging Additional Member of al Qaeda Plot

A superseding indictment was unsealed in Brooklyn federal court yesterday charging Ferid Imam, also known as "Yousef," with providing and conspiring to provide material support to al Qaeda, aiding and abetting the terrorist training of Najibullah Zazi, Zarein Ahmedzay, and Adis Medunjanin, and using a destructive device in furtherance of crimes of violence.1 The indictment was unsealed in coordination with Canadian authorities, who earlier today announced terrorism charges against Imam, who is a Canadian citizen. According to the Eastern District indictment, Imam aided and abetted Zazi, Ahmedzay, and Medunjanin's receipt of military-type training from al Qaeda when the three men traveled to Pakistan in 2008. Zazi, Ahmedzay, and Medunjanin subsequently returned to the United States to carry out a plot to detonate improvised explosive devices on behalf of al Qaeda. This plot was uncovered and disrupted by law enforcement authorities in September 2009. Zazi pleaded guilty to his role in the plot on February 22, 2010; Ahmedzay similarly pleaded guilty on April 23, 2010.

If convicted of the crimes in the indictment, Imam faces between 30 years' and life imprisonment.

The charges were announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Janice K. Fedarcyk, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, and Raymond W. Kelly, Commissioner, New York City Police Department.

"As today's charges demonstrate, we will not rest in our pursuit of those responsible for plotting terrorist attacks," stated United States Attorney Lynch. Ms. Lynch expressed her gratitude to the law enforcement personnel, both American and Canadian, who took part in the investigation.

"The three men already charged with conspiring to set off bombs in New York were also charged with receiving overseas training to accomplish that nefarious goal. Among other alleged acts of terrorism, Ferid Imam helped them get that training. Today's charges are an important step in bringing to justice all the conspirators," said FBI New York Assistant Director-in-Charge Fedarcyk.

NYPD Commissioner Kelly stated, "Today's charges against Ferid Imam are a result of the successful partnerships forged between police, prosecutors, and intelligence agencies in our efforts to keep the threat of terrorism at bay."

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, with assistance from the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department's National Security Division.

The Defendant:

FERID IMAM

Alias: "Yousef"

Age: 30

1 The charges contained in the superseding indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.